Mental Health Check-Up #1: Fighting Fairly

Sorry about the delay in posts for my two readers out there.  I've been busy these last two weeks writing a play about pirates who learn a lesson on bullying and friendship making skills, and I'm so happy to say that a second draft is off to Taproot for revisions...nothing left to do until I get some feedback!

Wallace Family Christmas

This Christmas, we created some new traditions and upheld some old ones as well.  Here's what the Wallace's did this Christmas:

Honeymoon Period

We're in the midst of that sweet spot also known as Christmas break, and we're having a blast.

As many of you already know, my part-time job is a playwriting gig for Taproot Theatre in Seattle.  I write an educational script for their touring company once a year, usually on bullying-prevention and friendship skills.  It's always very intense during the writing process, but then extremely low-maintenance the rest of the year. I really enjoy it, and find it extremely fulfilling.  Anyway, I've had a difficult time finding blocks of time to concentrate on writing, since I've been so busy with the boys this fall.  As a result, Josiah has agreed to take on the task of being in charge of the boys each morning during his break while I ride my bike to the school and use his office to write. 

Josiah is a fabulous father.  Sometimes I wonder if we should trade places???  He's been happily hauling the boys to the park, library story time, as well as various dental and medical appointments.  Meanwhile I'm enjoying flexing my writing muscles, biking in the sweet December sunshine, and spending afternoons and evenings with the family.


I suspect we'll be a bit tired of stepping on one another's toes in our townhouse come January, but for now we're still enjoying the honeymoon period...

Merry Christmas!

How to Survive Finals, 1st Semester

Josiah had a lot of work to do during finals.  No tests to study for, no major projects, but pages and pages and more pages of papers to write--eighty, to be exact--which requires, well, concentration.  A quiet environment.  And the ability to work 16+ hours a day without interruption.

And so for my husband's final's week, I gave him a gift.  I filled up the freezer full of prepared foods, cleaned the house, left clean laundry, packed up the boys, and left town.  Some people may not understand this--how could a loving wife leave her husband in the midst of this great trial?!

If you spend any time around children, you understand.

We took a plane to Grandma and Grandpa's, where fresh energy, loving arms, and generosity awaited the boys and I.

Josiah spent the week holed up inside our house, glued to the computer screen, alone.  And you know what?  He finished--with flying colors.  And meanwhile the arguments about taking out the trash or changing diapers or why he couldn't spend just an eensy bit of time with us despite the fact that he was running his own personal marathon never materialized.  And now we've all got a break--for the first time in a long time--where we get to relax as a family, until school begins again.

I Don't Have a Fancy Camera...

I don't have a fancy camera or a fancy photo editing program.  However, I do have online access to Picnik, a free online photo editing site which I am absolutely addicted to. 

Meet the Family, Via Blog

I hate to say it, but starting my own blog was a completely unoriginal idea.  In truth, my entire family blogs, except for my father, who is a family practice doctor and simply doesn't have the time.  But who knows, maybe he'll start one when he retires?  I'm sure he could field a lot of medical questions that way!

In the meantime, I'd like to introduce you to the rest of my family.

Government Aid Review #2: WIC

WIC is another nutritional program specifically benefiting women, infants, and children (although fathers are also encouraged to enroll any children under the age of 5).  We met the income guidelines in Seattle when I became pregnant with Sam and we officially became a family of "four". Since then, we've been getting monthly coupons (now on a debit card) for milk, eggs, juice, cheese, tuna, cereal, and beans.

Tylenol Doesn't Always Make Things Better...

Did anyone else catch the news that Acetaminophen can actually lower babies immune system responses to vaccinations?!  Apparently I am behind on the news, since many of the articles I googled on this subject were dated in mid-October.  (Sheez.  I KNEW there was a reason I should be getting a newspaper subscription!  That and the garage-sale listings.)

A celebration of 8 months...and brotherhood!